Now that my safe lock is working again, I'm finding more and more things migrating into it. I can foresee a need for a 2nd safe - leaving my current one for ammo/misc.

So, what says those that are "in the know" about safe construction/quality - looking at the Fort Knox Legend and Browning Platinum. Which would you recommend, and why? Any extra options I should consider?

Really difficult to make a recommendation without understanding what your needs and wants are for safe #2. I just bought a Fort Know but because they allow you to customize their safes it's an avenue that can provide upgraded security, both fire and theft, for less than what you pay for their basic upper end models. I laid in a lot of steel including the "super trength" Knoxarmor and ending with 1" in the door and 13/16 in the body. However, I opted for their standard fire protection for several reasons.....std. fire protection is more than adequate for the average house fire and burn duration, the added fire protection significantly reduces available interior space and the weight, in my case, would exceed 2100lbs.

If you don't get the smooth shiny paint job and start with something like the Protector or Defender you reduce the cost about $400 just for paint difference.

Check them thoroughly and do your comparison homework before laying down extra dollars for the "look".

Just remember the old rule of spending. You pretty much get what you pay for.
Quote from Brownells:

Quote:

It's unwise to pay too much...but it's worse when you pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money...that is all. when you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.

Many of these US-named companies are now making a portion of their product line in China - as is LL BEan, Woolrich, etc, so nothing new - except it might be harder to tell which models are made where. Thick steel is one thing, but the hardness and quality can be something entirely different. Fire ratings based on some sheetrock versus poured-in-place material changes things as well

Talking to a locksmith who sells different brands might be something you want to consider

Actually corner bolts can be put on any safe....it's part of the customization for Fort Knox safes and you usually end up with more bolts overall. My Defender does not come standard with corner bolts and it has only 11 total. I added the corner bolt option and the total number went from 11 to 18. THat's why I suggested you do some homework on them.....custom means custom.

I'll have to contact them directly, because I'm getting limited support from my local dealer. The main thing I gathered from the Ft Knox web site, was there are customizable features, but also the higher you went in the product line, the more features were included as "standard".

And honestly, I'm not trying to protect a couple of Ruger or Bersa pistols with a high end safe...just looking for any input on the 2 manufacturers and their higher end home safe products.

I have had a Fort Knox for 20 years. I would consider the desired size and fire protection status. Unless the criminal knows where the safe is and is prepared with the skills and tools to break it open and has the time to do so when no one will interupt him it is unlikely that he will bother trying. The fire protection will help but not enough to keep an heirloom gun in heirloom shape in event of housefire with the heat, smoke and steam from putting the fire out. I chose Fort Knox because Chuck Yeager advertised them but for the purpose of preventing theft or unauthorized handleing (children) either would be good.
All the Best,
Bill Daniel

__________________
Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless.

I wouldn't go as far as saying just because you're buying an American made safe you are buying a quality product. Most people don't even know how American these American products are. Some companies go as far to misrepresent Chinese safes as American. Others offer (or have offered) American built safes that use steel and components made in China, assembled here in the US by illegal Mexian labor.

Although I support buying American made products, the truth of the matter is that it may offer more "feel good" than it does support for our country.

Quote:

Isn't the Ft Know made in USA? I'm not sure about the Browning's....

Both companies build safes in the US. Browning (Prosteel) does import some of their lower line safes.

Safes are an investment, you have to think of it that way. Unfortunately we as as gun owners rather spend on a gun than a safe. The fact we justify having thousands of dollars on a firearm and scimping on a safe is funny to me....I just did it.

I would search Craigslist in your area.

To me, weight and fire rating and most important. Depending on your location, safe neighborhood and the amount of people that know you have a safe and guns, will determine what you need.

I found a 1200lb old safe online for $375. I put $40 in the interior, painted it and sold it for $1,100 and bought a 3,000lb double door 4 hour fire Mosler. Now this safe is T-20 which is only tamper proof HOWEVER it will prevent the normal snatch and grab thief. A pro safe cracker is going to get in any Liberty, Cannon, etc out there that is not Tl-30 or higher. A hole saw to the side or back of the safe to allow access to the combo back panel and the safe is open.

That being said....

Get a heavy safe that cannot be tipped to pry open and invest in a motion alarm system and loud neighbor waking alarm. I plan on getting a motion alarm system that will email/text me when it is triggered.

There are some insane safes out there that run $7,000+ that have ballistic panels around and ball bearing panels that destroy drill bits.

Some companies go as far to misrepresent Chinese safes as American. Others offer (or have offered) American built safes that use steel and components made in China, assembled here in the US by illegal Mexian labor.

Not to get off subject to much. But, I buy a lot of metals (20k lbs a year) its nearly imposable to get metals made in the USA. The tree huggers traded Bethlehem Steel for office buildings. Many grades of metals are only available from China. Most of our SS comes from Italy. Aluminum is the only thing that buy almost exclusively domestic.
Very few if any companies hire illegal labor. Its illegal and the department of labor does check up on it. If they are hired its because they have the proper documents.
The only Brownings I have seen (places like Bass Pro) are not US made.
The feel good of buying American is good enough for me. We have to start someplace, I wasn't trying to imply that only Liberty is US made. IMO they make a great product.

__________________Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it.Milton Freidman"If you find yourself in a fair fight,,,
Your tactics suck"- Unknown

I don't think there is much difference between all the 12 gauge steel safes sold in big box gun stores. Liberty, Browning, Winchester, etc. Take your pick.

For a step up in quality, look at AMSEC, Zykan or Sturdy. I wish I could buy one myself, but their weight and price are limiting factors in my house.

I ended up going with a little company in California called Sun Welding Safe. They use USA steel and can custom make it to your specifications for close to the same price as their standard offerings. I also got it in 10 gauge. I love my safe.

This email link is to reach site administrators for assistance, if you cannot access TFL via other means. If you are a TFL member and can access TFL, please do not use this link; instead, use the forums (like Questions, Suggestions, and Tech Support) or PM an appropriate mod or admin.

If you are experiencing difficulties posting in the Buy/Sell/Trade subforums of TFL, please read the "sticky" announcement threads at the top of the applicable subforum. If you still feel you are qualified to post in those subforums, please contact "Shane Tuttle" (the mod for that portion of TFL) via Private Message for assistance.

This email contact address is not an "Ask the Firearms Expert" service. Such emails will be ignored. If you have a firearm related question, please register and post it on the forums.